Toothbrush



Feb. 20, 1934. s, v, LAUB 1,947,721

TOOTHBRUSH Filed Dec. 50, 1951 INVENTOR SZaWZe Z 1/ Lay Patented Feb. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application December 30, 1931 Serial No. 533,936

14 Claims.

The invention relates to toothbrushes and in certain respects constitutes an improvement over the subject matter of my co-pending applications for patent, Serial No. 528,311, fil d April 9, 1931, and Serial No. 528,812, filed April 9, 1931.

As stated with respect to such co-pending applications for patents, the present invention is chiefly concerned with provision of a toothbrush equipped with a small quantity of toothpaste or other teeth cleansing agent, which is of such inexpensive construction and of such arrangement, that it is primarily practical for a single teeth cleansing operation after which it may be discarded. A brush of this character which can be furnished to the public at a very small cost, will enable the public to avoid repeated use of toothbrushes and hence to avoid ordinary unsanitary conditions, which usually characterize toothbrushes used at the present time. Also the invention is particularly adapted to furnish transients with inexpensive toothbrushes equipped with suflicient paste for a single teeth cleansing operation, from which it follows that traveling people may at any time obtain a brush equipped with toothpaste, at a very small cost, thus enabling these people to cleanse their teeth wherever they may go without requiring them to have hand, the ordinary brush and tube of paste which they usually have in their homes and which the traveling public heretofore usually has found necessary to carry with them One object of the present invention is to provide an improved brush for this purpose, in which a toothpaste container having toothpaste therein, so associated with the brush, that it can readily be mounted thereon, and the toothpaste readily released into the area of the bristles on the brush.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brush equipped with a small container having toothpaste or the like therein, which is so constructed and arranged with respect to the brush, that the paste may be extruded along one or both sides of the brush and into the vicinity of the bristles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brush having a container with toothpaste therein, in which the container is sealed by material soluble in water. It follows that when a brush of this character is used, the seal may be broken merely by allowing water to flow thereover and normally the brush would not be subjected to the action of water for this purpose except at the time the brush actually is to be used, the paste will be sealed until the latter time,

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily broken when it is desired to use the brush.

The breaking of this seal will permit removal of the container or extrusion of paste therefrom along the sides of the brush as the case may be, although the seal, prior to the time the brush actually is to be used, will maintain the paste in good condition.

Another object of the invention is to provide a brush of the general character last mentioned, but wherein the paste is located in the bristle area of the brush, and the container not only houses the paste but also the bristles. In a construction of this type, both the paste and bristles are maintained in a sealed casing thus further increasing the sanitary characteristics of a brush of this type, while at the same time permitting ready removal of the container when it is desired to use the brush.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush having a small quantity of toothpaste associated therewith in a housed condition, in which a handle is provided which may be readily assembled and disassembled with respect to the bristle part of the brush and toothpaste housing, and assembled therewith in such manner that the paste is simultaneously extruded into the bristle area.

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following description of particular forms of the invention and the drawing illustrative thereof, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, wherem:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a bristle head having a container of toothpaste associated with the back side of the head, according to one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along the line 2-2 oi. Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the construction shown by Fig. 1, illustrating the manner in which a sealing strip is employed for fastening a toothpaste container to the bristle head, and the manner in which this strip may be removed;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in cross section, illustrating the toothpaste container shown by Fig. 1, when separated from the bristle head and sealing strip for fastening it to the latter;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the bristle head shown by Fig. 1, when the toothpaste container and sealing strip are removed therefrom;

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which the assembly shown by Fig. 1 may be associated with a releasable handle adapted also to extrude the toothpaste into the bristle area when the handle is associated with the bristle head;

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6 illustrating the manner in which the handle operates to extrude the paste along the sides of the bristle head into the bristle area;

Fig. 8 is a view more particularly illustrating the handle and the manner in which it cooperates with the bristle head, and is attached thereto;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but wherein the paste container is provided with openings such as slots that are normally sealed by material soluble in water;

Fig. 10 is across-sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to that shown by Fig. 10, but wherein the bristle back has a slot co1nmunicating with the interior of the paste container which normally is sealed by material such as mentioned in connection with Fig. 10, which is soluble in water;

' Fig. 12 illustrates a bristle head assembly, in which toothpaste is deposited in the bristles and around them, and housed by a container also affixed at its edges to the sides of the bristle head;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along the line 1313 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a View similar to Fig. 8, but illustrating a different type of handle.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, a bristle head or plate 10 is provided which preferably has oval or arcuate ends, and straight side walls. The sides of the head are formed to provide a plane shoulder surface 11, and an arcuate rib 12, such shoulder and rib preferably extending around the sides of the head. That surface of the head adjacent the rib 12 is provided with bristles indicated at 13, while the opposite surface of the head is adapted to serve as a depository for a small quantity of toothpaste substantially sufficient only for one teeth cleansing operation. In the construction illustrated, this toothpaste is indicated at 14 and is first deposited in a container 15 which may be composed of cellophane or any other suitable material which may be deformed to cause extrusion of the paste therefrom. Such container has an annular flange 16 which is of such dimensions that the head 10 may be telescoped into the container, with the side wall surface or shoulder 11 on the head substantially contacting with the inner surface of the flange. When the container is so related with the head, it is apparent that the upper deformable wall of the former and the upper surface of the latter, define a space or cavity for the toothpaste. For maintaining the container associated with the head, a narrow strip 16 of flexible material such as cellophane or any other suitable material, is wound around the outside surface of the flange 16 of the container, and the ends of the strip as shown particularly by Fig. 3 are overlapped slightly as indicated at 1'7 and cemented or otherwise secured together. Preferably also the strip 16 is cemented to the outside surface of the flange 16 of the container, and it may also be cemented slightly to the annular rib 12 of the bristle head. The strip is provided to maintain the container associated with the head and normally to provide a positive seal in order that the paste in the contamer may be maintained in good condition. That end of the strip 16' which overlaps the other end, preferably is provided with an outwardly projecting part or lip 18 for facilitating removal of the strip from the container and bristle head. it is apparent that this strip 18 may be manually grasped and stripped from the container and bristle head in the manner illustrated by Fig. 3.

In using the construction shown by the figures described, a handle 20 preferably will be employed and such handle has a hollow head 21 and a hand gripping or handle portion 22. At its end remote with respect to the handle portion 22, the head portion 21 has a short arcuate wall 23 which terminates at opposite sides of the head at points indicated at 24. This short arcuate wall has a portion 25 provided with a groove 26, the groove 26 being particularly adapted to receive the annular rib 12 on one end of the bristle head 10, while the inner surface of the wall 23 above the groove is substantially complementary to the shoulder surface 11 on the bristle head or the flange 16 and strips 16' when the container 15 is on the head. At its opposite end the head'Zl on the handle 20 has a similar wall 28 provided with a grooved portion 29 adapted to receive the rib 12 at the opposite end of the bristle head or plate 10. The handle 20 may be composed of any suitable material having flexible characteristics which permit bending thereof in order to engage the wall 28 and portion 29 thereof with the end of the bristle head. In other words, the handle is of such material that the handle portion 22 including the wall 28 may be sprung upwardly away from the adjacent end of the bristle head, or sprung downwardly to cause engagement of the wall with this end of the bristle head. The wall 28 and portion 29 also may be sufficiently flexible to permit slight bending thereof when the head is associated with the handle tocause first a movement of the arcuate rib portion 29 past the rib 12 on the bristle head, and then a springing back of such arcuate portion and engagement thereof with the rib 12. it is apparent that the arcuate end portions of the walls 23 and 28 prevent longitudinal movement of the bristle head with respect to the handle member 20, while the short extensions of such walls along the opposed sides of the bristle head prevent lateral movement of the bristle head with respect to the handle member.

Between its ends, the head portion 21 of the handle portion 20 has an elongated protuberance 39 which is adapted to depress the container 15 and force the toothpaste therefrom when the handle is associated with the bristle head. From this it follows that as the wall 28 and arcuate portion 29 thereof are associated with the adjacent end of the bristle head, it being understood that normally the opposite end of the bristle head will first have been associated with the wall 23 and the groove 26, the toothpaste will extrude from the container.

Fig. '7 illustrates the manner in which the toothpaste is extruded from the container and into the region of the bristles 13. It will be noted that the protuberance 30 on the handle has caused depression of the container 15 and this pressure "f: in the same manner.

forces the toothpaste laterally towards opposite sides, and since the walls 23 and 28 do not extend along thesides of the bristle head, movement of the toothpaste laterally toward opposite sides, causes outward deflection of the flange 16 at opposed sides of the head, as indicated at 32 and 33 and then the paste is allowed to extrude along the sides of the bristle head as indicated at 34 and 35 into the region of the bristles 13. It will be understood that as soon as the handle member 20 is associated with the bristle head, the paste has been extruded in this manner and it is only necessary to use the brush in the ordinary manner.

If desired the head 21 instead of having a protuberance 30, may have an opening as indicated at in Fig. 14 which permits the upper part of the container to project through the head when the handle and bristle head are assembled. Then the container may be depressed with the finger to extrude the paste. In using a handle of this character, it is manifest that the bristle head and container may be associated therewith prior to extruding the paste and that in using the bristle heads where material soluble in water is employed, the head may be associated with the handle before holding the head under a hydrant or dipping it into water.

From the above description it will be understood that in using the brush, the strip 16 is first removed and then the handle member 29 is associated with the bristle head in such manner that the paste is extruded from the container by means of the protuberance 30 pressing thereagainst and into the region of the bristles. However, if desired, the strip 16 may be removed, and then the container 15 may also be removed, and then inverted and the bristles manually inserted in the container, from which it follows that the paste may be deposited on the bristles before associating the handle member with the head. When the brush is used in this manner, the container 15 will be entirely removed and not associated with the bristle head when the handle member is connected thereto. In other words, the container 15 may be removed and the bristles 13 dipped there into in order to deposit the paste thereon and then the bristle head may be associated with the handle member in the same manner as previously described without necessitating the presence of the container 15.

The bristle heads shown by Figs. 9 and 10 are very similar to that shown by Fig. 1 and are adapted to be connected to the handle member 20 In this construction, however, the sealing strip 16 need not be removed although preferably it will be provided so that it can be removed to permit extrusion of the paste from the side portions of the container if this should be desired. However, preferably as shown by both figures opposite side walls of the container are initially provided with slits indicated at 36 and 3'7 and such slits are sealed by material which preferably is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol, such as gelatin. Material of this character is preferred because it is unaffected by alcohol in the tooth paste but releasable by pouring water thereover. Possibly the paste may contain a slight amount of moisture but ordinarily this moisture, mixed, as it is with the other ingredients in the paste, has no undesirable efiect on the sealing material. However, if any paste to be used has an undesirable quantity of moisture, its composition may be changed to substantially eliminate moisture therefrom.

The sealing material may be of similar or the same'composition as that employed in making capsules for medicaments or in other words that material used in making capsule pills to be taken internally of the body.

When a brush of this character is to be used, the head may be associated with the handle member 20 without removing the strip-16 and then the bristle head portion of the brush maybe held under a hydrant and water allowed to flow thereover and this operation will cause the sealing material in the slits 36 and 37 to dissolve. Afterthis operation the bristle head may be associated with the handle member 20 and since the slits 36 and 3'7 are now open the protuberance 30 pressing on the container 15 in associating the handle member 20 with the bristle head will cause the paste to be extruded through the slits 36 and 37 and along the sides of the brush and towards the bristles 13..

Fig. 11 illustrates a modified'construction in which the bristle head 10 has a longitudinally extendingslot 40 therein which is sealed by the same material described with respect to Figs. 9 and 10. When this construction is used, the bristle head similarly will be held under a water hydrant and the water flowing thereover will cause dissolution of the sealing material and opening of the slit 40. Then when the bristle head is associated with the handle member 20 the toothpaste in the container will be extruded through the open slit and directly into the bristle region.

'According to Figs. 12 and 13, a container 42 is provided for the toothpaste, and this container generally-is inverted with respect to the position of the container 15 previouslydescribed. Toothpaste is first deposited in the container or in the region of the bristles 13 whichever is found most desirable, and then the container is slipped over the bristles and the edges over the rib 12on the bristle head. Then a'sealing strip 43 is wound around the edge portions of the container and around the shoulder surface 11 on the bristle head and cemented thereto in substantially the same manner as previously described. The strip 43 similarly to the strip 16 previously described will have overlapping end portions, and a lip 44 by means of which it may be readily removed and the container 42 also removed. After the container 42 is removed, it is apparent that the bristle head with the toothpaste around the bristles may be associated with the handle member 20 in the same manner previously described and then the brush may be used.

Any of the constructions described provide a simple and inexpensive toothbrush provided with a small quantity of toothpaste substantially sufiicient for only oneteeth cleansing operation. It is apparent that the handle members may be manufactured as separate articles of commerce and similarly that the bristle heads with the containers associated therewith may be also dispensed as separate articles of manufacture. It is quite possible to dispense these bristle heads with the container of toothpaste associated therewith, in a simple and expedient manner such as by coin-controlled vending machines which will permit the public, and particularly the traveling public, to obtain one of such articles in practically any public establishment at a very small cost. It is quite possible to sell the handle members with the object of using them repeatedly and in this connection to dispense the bristle heads with the containers for the toothpaste, as refills. Under this set of conditions, it would i only be necessary for the public to carry the handle member and to purchase the bristle head with the toothpaste associated therewith whenever it is desired to cleanse, the teeth. It is quite apparent that this manner of dispensing the bristle head and cleansing the teeth, promotes sanitation and avoids the present unsanitary conditions characteristic of present time tooth brushes.

Moreover, it is apparent that the paste will be maintained in good condition because it is sealed and that it will be fresh when used. Additionally, and as particularly characterized in the construction shown by Figs. 12 and 13, it is apparent that both the paste and the bristles will be maintained in a sealed container prior to use, and hence will be in a clean and sanitary 1 condition when it is desired to use the brush.

In general, the invention provides a brush which may be sold at a very small cost and which permits using the brush a single time and then discarding it. Consequently, sanitary conditions with respect to toothbrushes will be greatly improved and a clean and fresh brush may always be employed for teeth cleansing operations. It is of course, quite essential that a brush of this character be very inexpensive in order that the public may employ the idea without prohibitive expense.

Although more than one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An article. of manufacture comprising a bristle headhaving bristles projecting from one surface thereof and an annular side wall, and a cup shaped toothpaste container having its edges sealed to the side wall entirely around such wall.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a bristle head having side walls and a face with bristles projecting therefrom, a cup shaped toothpaste container having its edges engagingside wall portions of the head, and a sealing strip extending around such wall for maintaining and sealing the container in position.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a bristle head having bristles projecting from one surface thereof, a toothpaste container operatively connected to the head and having an opening for extrusion of paste to the bristles and means sealing the opening in the container including material soluble in water.

4. An article of manufacture comprising a bristle head having bristles projecting from one surface thereof, a toothpaste container on the opposite side of the head and having an opening for extrusion of paste to the bristles, and means including material soluble in water for sealing the paste opening in the container.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a bristle head having bristles projecting from one surface thereof, a toothpaste container on the opposite side of the head, a handle member releasably secured to the head, and means on the handle member for automatically depressing the container wall when such handle is connected to the head.

6. A toothbrush comprising a bristle head having bristles on one surface, a toothpaste container operatively connected to the head and located on the opposite side of the latter, releasable.

means sealing the container along one side edge of the bristle head, a handle adapted to be releasably connected to the head, means on said handle for automatically applying pressure, to the container when it is associated with the head, and means on the handle adjacent the sealing means for the container for allowing the paste to be extruded along the side of the head and into the bristle region upon connecting the handle to the head.

7. A toothbrush comprising a bristle head having bristles projecting from one surface thereof, a toothpaste container mounted on the opposite side of the head, means soluble in water for sealing the paste in the container, and a handle adapted to be operatively connected to the head and to apply pressure to the container to extrude the paste therefrom after dissolution of such material soluble in water.

8. An article of manufacture comprising a bristle head having bristles projecting from one surface thereof, a cup-shaped toothpaste container having its edges substantially complementary to surface portions of the head, means securing such edges to surface portions of the head, and material soluble in water for sealing the paste in the container.

9. An article of manufacture comprising a bristle head and bristles projecting from one surface thereof, a cup-shaped container having its edge portions substantially complementary to side wall surfaces of the bristle head, and a releasable sealing strip wound around the edge portions of the container for holding such edge portions against the side wall surfaces of the head, said strip having a lip at one end projecting outwardly from the head to facilitate manual removal of the strip;

10. An article of manufacture comprising a toothbrush bristle head having bristles projecting from one surface thereof, a cup-shaped container having edge portions extending around side wall surfaces of the head, a sealing strip wound around such edge portions to maintain the container on the head and to seal the paste in the container, and means soluble in water for additionally sealing the paste in the container.

11. An article of manufacture comprising a bristle head having bristles projecting from one surface thereof, toothpaste in the region of the bristles, a container housing the paste and bristles, and a readily releasable binding strip connecting the container to the bristle head and normally sealing the paste and bristles in the container.

12. An article of manufacture comprising a bristle head having bristles projecting from one surface thereof, toothpaste in the region of the bristles, a container housing the toothpaste and bristles and having its edges substantially complementary to the side wall surfaces of the head, and a sealing strip extending around the side Wall of the head and sealing the edges of the container thereto.

13. An article of manufacture comprising a bristle head having bristles projecting from one surface thereof, means on the head containing a tooth cleansing agent, means for allowing the cleansing agent to be directed into the area of the bristles, a handle for the bristle head, means for releasably and operatively connecting the handle to the head, and means for automatically forcing the cleansing agent into the bristle area upon assembling the handle and the head.

14. An article of manufacture comprising a the handle member, and means for automatically forcing the cleansing agent by deformation of the containing means, into the bristle area upon assembling the handle and the head.

STANLEY V. LAUB. 

